UK International Students Drop 6% in 2024/25 Amid Visa Trends and New Levy
HESA reports show 685,565 international students in the UK for 2024/25, marking a 6% decline from the prior year. Home Office figures indicate sponsored study visas remained stable at around 440,000 but dropped 31% from 2023 peaks, with sharp falls in dependant visas. English universities face a forthcoming £925 levy per international student.
Decline in International Students Enrolled in UK Higher Education
Statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveal a 6% drop in international student numbers across UK higher education institutions for the 2024/25 academic year, totalling 685,565 students, according to a report in The Morning.
General Information Only
This summarises publicly available data. Rules and statistics can change; consult official UK government sources for the latest details.
Key HESA Figures
UK Home Office Sponsored Study Visa Data
For the year ending September 2025, the UK Home Office recorded 439,924 sponsored study visa grants, holding steady compared to the previous year but 31% lower than the peak in the year ending September 2023, as cited in The Morning.
- Main applicants: 419,558 (up 7% from year ending September 2024)
- Dependants: 20,366 (down 57% from prior year)
Rise in UK Programmes Delivered Overseas
While on-campus enrolments fell, participation in UK higher education courses offered abroad has increased significantly, reflecting shifting patterns in global student mobility per HESA data.
Introduction of International Student Levy
English universities are preparing for a new policy requiring a flat fee of £925 per international student annually, which may influence future enrolment trends, according to the source.
Broader Trends
These figures highlight a stabilisation in visa grants after recent peaks, alongside reduced dependant visas.
What caused the decline in international student numbers?
HESA attributes it to various factors including policy shifts; exact reasons are not specified in the data.
How has the number of dependant visas changed?
Home Office data shows a 57% reduction to 20,366 for the year ending September 2025.
What is the international student levy?
It involves English universities paying £925 per international student per year, as per upcoming rules.
Source Attribution
Details drawn from The Morning (https://www.themorning.lk/articles/A2Wi2tsEIbvL6kEClz8W), citing HESA and UK Home Office statistics. Verify with gov.uk for official updates.